Arizona $1,850 (inclusive*) • October 16-22, 2011
There is no canyon on Earth like the Grand Canyon! We will explore this great wilderness, beginning and ending on the high pine clad North Rim, varying the route from year to year. Though the mighty Colorado River defines the inner canyon, the Grand Canyon is actually a diverse array of broad and narrow side canyons, some with gorgeous clear streams and waterfalls. There are also big open mesas and enormous rock walls of kaleidoscopic color. Views are incredible, and a diverse array of high desert wildlife graces this great chasm. We rate this trip strenuous, and its base is Cedar City, Utah, unless we inform you otherwise.
We usually do a route that begins and ends on the remote North Rim, but due to National Park Service backcountry reservation policy (under which we make our reservations on the first day of the 4th month prior to the trip), we won’t know which of our route choices we’ve secured until approximately mid-June. They are, however, all equally fantastic!
TREK BASE: Cedar City, Utah. Stratford Court Hotel, 18 South Main, (877) 688-8884 or (435) 586-2433.
MEETING TIME: Pre-trip orientation, food/gear handout and safety talk at 6 PM the evening prior to the first day of the trip. Meet in motel lobby.
TRANSPORTATION: Air service to Cedar City. Flights are limited, so reserve early. Call motel in advance for airport shuttle. You can also fly to Las Vegas (2.5 hours away) and rent a car or take a bus to Cedar City. Salt Lake is a 3.5-hour drive. There’s also air service to St. George, which is just an hour away.
TREK RATING: This trip is strenuous with big vertical gains and losses, so arrive in great shape!
ELEVATIONS: Nearly 8,000’ on the rim and just over 2,000’ on the river. Maximum one-day elevation gain with backpack may be up to 4,000’.
WEATHER: Usually quite pleasant with warm days and cool nights in spring and fall. It can be hot along the Colorado River and it may snow on or near the rim. Dramatic climate differences from rim to river! Click here for the National Weather Service forecast.
FISHING: It’s not great, but you can fish the Colorado. A license can be obtained when we enter the park. If you plan to fish, please inform us when you sign up or shortly thereafter.
SPECIAL FEATURES: The entire canyon is a special feature. Think BIG! This is one of the most spectacular features on Earth and the geologic story is fascinating. Ecologically, you’ll travel from cool pine forest down through a variety of semi-arid ecosystems to the low elevation Mojave Desert. And back!
SPECIAL TIPS: Respect the big ups and downs by going light! Leave unnecessary items behind! Consider a tarp or bivi bag, rather than a tent, or utilize a very light tent. Bring “Crocs” rather than sneakers for camp shoes; consider sharing things like sunscreen/camera etc. with fellow trip participants.
STATUS: Most of the backcountry is proposed for Wilderness status, but Congress has yet to act on this. There are many challenges to keeping the Grand Canyon wild, including motorboats, excessive low air traffic, weeds, air pollution and the ecological impact of upstream dams.
ITINERARY: Our autumn trips are generally off the North Rim, which is about 2.5 hours from Cedar City. What goes down must come back up and we usually go back up via the same route by which we descend. There’s always a mid-trip layover, usually on or near the Colorado River, depending upon the exact route. We cannot confirm our exact route until about 3 months prior to the trip because the Park Service’s regulations don’t allow them to confirm our trip plan until then.
*All trip prices include equipment (backpack, day-pack, tent, sleeping bag and pad, eating utensils), food and cooking (3 meals/day plus snacks), cooking gear, trip planning, comprehensive safety instruction, all user/permit fees, transportation from town to and from the trailheads, and our professional guide/naturalist staff. There is a $200 discount if you bring your own equipment.
